The Bishop Broncos basketball team’s record went to 6-2 with a 61-54 win over the visiting Mineral County Serpents Tuesday night.
The game wasn’t as tight as the score reflects; Bishop was the stronger of the two teams from the tip-off. But, like the Lady Broncos’ game, coach Ben Arcularius opted to give his bench varsity playing time and build up the depth of the Broncos squad in preparation for league action.
The Serpents got the tip-off but Andrea Musumeci swept in for the steal and Bishop was the first with points on the board.

The Bishop Broncos basketball team’s record went to 6-2 with a 61-54 win over the visiting Mineral County Serpents Tuesday night.
The game wasn’t as tight as the score reflects; Bishop was the stronger of the two teams from the tip-off. But, like the Lady Broncos’ game, coach Ben Arcularius opted to give his bench varsity playing time and build up the depth of the Broncos squad in preparation for league action.
The Serpents got the tip-off but Andrea Musumeci swept in for the steal and Bishop was the first with points on the board.
Bishop had a 9-2 lead mid-way through the first quarter but the Serpents crept back to within 2 points. Ty Tucker sank a 3-pointer, deflating Mineral County’s surge and Bishop ended the quarter with a 14-10 lead.
Anthony Martinez opened up the second quarter with a bucket; Musumeci hit from the free throw line to give Bishop a 17-11 lead, but then the Serpents took over with 11 unanswered points to take away the lead at 17-22. With 48 seconds on the clock, Thomas Montoya sank a foul shot, Tucker pulled down a rebound and Bishop converted on the turnover, but Mineral County went into the half-time locker room with a 20-24 lead.
Musumeci and Carl Olsen went to the free throw line early in the third quarter to bring the Broncos within 1 point at 23-24; then Martinez secured a Bishop lead with a basket and a hit from the foul line.
Mineral County would re-take the lead 26-27, but didn’t have very long to savor it as Montoya scored on a put back. The Serpents would flirt with the lead through the final 3 minutes of the quarter, but it was Bishop’s game from that point on.
The Broncos led 41-35 going into the fourth quarter. The Serpents were successful from the free throw line, but the Bishop defense shut them down. Mineral County tried slowing the game but just ended up with turnovers as the shot clock ran down.
Martinez was on fire on both sides of the court, scoring points on offensive runs and defensive fouls.
Elliot Hastie put up the final Bishop bucket with 42 seconds on the clock. Mineral hit a foul shot, snagged the rebound and got 2 more points on the board before the buzzer.
The boys junior varsity squad rallied after going into the second half 4 points behind the Serpents. Bishop outscored Mineral County 26-7 in the third quarter to go on for the 61-45 win.
The Broncos varsity squad heads north for the Whittell tournament today. After a two-week break, Bishop hosts the Christmas Classic starting Dec. 26.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Varsity
Anthony Martinez: 17 pts., 12 rebs.
Thomas Montoya: 12 pts., 5 rebs.
Andrea Musumeci: 12 pts., 3 steals
River Mallory: 5 pts.
Ty Tucker: 5 pts.

The Bishop Lady Broncos basketball squad had a tough road trip for tournament action in Reno late last week, but made up for it in spades Tuesday night at home against the Mineral County Lady Serpents.
Despite a rough full-court press by the Serpents, the Broncos nailed the 52-32 win, holding on to the lead for all but a minute of play in the second quarter when the Serpents went ahead 16-17 from the free throw line. The Broncos answered with a 12-point run to end the half 28-18 and never looked back.
“All the ladies were able to get significant playing time,” said coach Brian Pennington. “Six of the 10 girls scored and all contributed to the victory.”
Maria Jimenez put up the first points for the Broncos; the Serpents answered then went into their press but couldn’t convert on the turnover, which was pretty much the theme for the night.
Half-way through the first quarter the score stood at 10-6 and stayed there until the final seconds when Tamia Shoshone added 2 to extend Bishop’s lead 12-6 at the buzzer.
The Serpents came out tough in the second quarter, tying the game 12-12 off two 3-pointers. The lead changed sides until the clock showed 3:13 with Mineral County ahead 16-17. Brooke Callahan scored and seemed to uncork the bucket bottle. The Broncos put up 10 more points in the next three minutes of play.
The Serpents tried to control the timing of the game under Bishop’s net, but weren’t effective in taking away the Broncos’ momentum. Bishop’s defense held Mineral County scoreless until the final seconds when a Serpent landed a free throw.
The score at the half: 28-18.
The third quarter was all Bishop. The defense held the Serpents to 2 points, both from the free throw line, while the offense ticked off 7 more points.
Ahead by 15 at 35-20 going into the final eight minutes of play, Bishop went on an impressive points run, adding 15 while holding the Serpents to 4. With three minutes left in the game, Bishop held a 50-24 lead.
Mineral County launched a minor surge in the final minute of play, but it was too little, too late and the Broncos claimed the win, 52-32.
The Lady Broncos are on the road for the Whittel Tournament today through Saturday.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Varsity
J’Nise Evans: 2 steals, 1 block
Beatrice Ramirez: 1 reb.
Sabrina Barlow: 2 pts., 2 rebs., 2 assists, 1 block
Cienna Martinez: 4 pts., 3 rebs., 2 assists, 1 block
Brooke Callahan: 10 pts., 12 rebs., 2 assists, 1 seal, 2 blocks
Kailey Parker: 1 steal
Little Eva Lent: 4 pts., 6 rebs., 1 steal, 1 block
Tamia Shoshone: 19 pts., 6 rebs., 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
Maria Jimenez: 13 pts., 6 rebs., 1 assist, 1 steal
Junior Varsity
Bishop 14 vs
Mineral County 22
Rubee Manuelito: 3 pts.
Hannah Frankson: 5 pts., 2 rebs.
Kali Campbell: 2 pts., 4 rebs.
Christina Solis: 2 pts.